Hedingham Castle

Hedingham Castle is a Grade I listed historic house in Essex, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Hedingham Castle

Hedingham Castle's Norman keep rises above the village of Castle Hedingham in Essex, built around 1140 for the de Vere family.

It stands within 160 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, alongside a later Georgian mansion house on the same estate.

The keep is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved Norman keeps in England, with five floors of decorated stonework reached by a single steep staircase.

The property is part of the Historic Houses network, which gives members free admission.

History of Hedingham Castle

The castle's fortifications date from around 1100, with the great keep raised around 1140 for the de Vere family, who held the earldom of Oxford for several centuries. Most of the wider medieval castle has been lost, leaving the keep, minus two of its original turrets, as the sole major survival. The estate later passed by descent to the Lindsay family, who still live at Hedingham today.

Architecture of Hedingham Castle

The keep is built in the Norman, or Romanesque, style and contains finely decorated stonework of its period, including a grand arched hall on the first floor. A separate Georgian mansion house stands elsewhere on the estate, reflecting later phases of the family's occupation.

Worth knowing

The de Vere family, who built the castle, held the earldom of Oxford for several centuries, one of the longest unbroken noble successions in English history. Their descendants, the Lindsay family, still live at Hedingham Castle.

Gardens & grounds at Hedingham Castle

The estate's 160 acres take in landscaped gardens, lakes and woodland surrounding the Georgian mansion house.

Facilities

Parking Toilets

Plan your visit to Hedingham Castle

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Sudbury (Suffolk) Rail Station (6.4 miles)

Open to the public from Easter to October; check official website for specific dates and hours.

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

Is this your property? Update this listing for free

Places to visit near Hedingham Castle

Turners House

historic house 2.3 miles

Visit Turners House View Turners House on heritage map

Holy Trinity Church, Halstead

church 3.6 miles

View Holy Trinity Church, Halstead on heritage map

Belchamp Hall

historic house 3.9 miles

Visit Belchamp Hall View Belchamp Hall on heritage map

Gainsboroughs House

historic house 6.3 miles

Visit Gainsboroughs House View Gainsboroughs House on heritage map

Finchingfield Guildhall

historic house 6.6 miles

Visit Finchingfield Guildhall View Finchingfield Guildhall on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Hedingham Castle there are 3 historic properties, including 2 historic houses, across Historic Houses and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

2 Historic Houses

1 Churches Conservation Trust

2 Historic house

1 Church

See these 3 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Hedingham Castle there are 11 historic properties, including 6 historic houses, 3 churchs and 2 historic buildings, across Historic Houses, Churches Conservation Trust and National Trust sites.

6 Historic Houses

3 Churches Conservation Trust

2 National Trust

6 Historic house

3 Church

2 Historic building

See these 11 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Hedingham Castle there are 37 historic properties, including 15 historic buildings, 12 churchs and 9 historic houses, across Churches Conservation Trust, English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.

11 Churches Conservation Trust

9 English Heritage

9 Historic Houses

8 National Trust

15 Historic building

12 Church

9 Historic house

1 Mill